Electrically-operated bell for submarine signaling.



E. c. WOOD.

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED BELL FOR SUBMARINE SIGNAL|NG.

APPLLCATLQEL FILED FEB.12,I912.

- Patented June 13, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

E. C. WOOD.

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED BELL FOR SUBMARlNE SIGNALING.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 12,1912. 1 136 951 Patented June 13, 1916.

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E. (L'WOOD.

ELECIRICALLY OPERATED BELL FOR SUBWARINE SIGNALING.

APPLICATIOH FILED FEB. 12. 1912.

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EDWARD C. N803, OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR T0 SUBMARINE SIG- NAL COMRAEIY, C'F VTATERVILLE, MAINE, A. CDREORATION 01E MAINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 13, 1916.

Application flied February 12, 1912,. Serial No. 677,264.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD C. 00D, of Somerville, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, a citizen of the United States, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electrically-Opfi ated Bells for Submarine Signaling, of which the following is a specification.

Means for operating a submarinebell by electricity have been already devised and tried with more or less success, but in the apparatus heretofore constructed electrical means have been applied either directly to the clapper to throw it or else to the bell itself for the purpose of attracting and repelling the walls of the bell so as to set up vibrations in them. In the present case electrical means are applied for the purpose of storing energy and hence securing a blow from the clapper upon the bell which blow shall always be of substantially the same force so that the vibrations or sound waves from the bell will always reach a substantially given distance. Moreover, the construction herein shown is especially useful for signaling from submarine boats, for which purpose, while the bell itself is in contact with the water. the mechanism may be located within the boat or upon its deck in a watertight compartment.

This invention will be understood by reference to the drawings in which its preferred form is shown.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the casing on which the bell is mounted and which contains the mechanism for operating the bell, the section llQlllg taken on line 11 of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a view showing the casing spring. bell and portion of the clapper arm in section. the other parts being in elevation. Fig. 3 is a section on line 33 of Fig. 2. showing the cam and the means operated by it. .Fig. 4 is a section of the cam. showing the clutch mechanism. and Fig. 5 is a section on line 55 of Fig. 1.

A is a box or casing suitably strengthened by ribs or otherwise and serving as a protection to the mechanism. It is provided with a cover A which is bolted to the casing A in such a manner as to form an airtight inclosure therein. For this purpose a gasket a may be conveniently used, fitting into a suitable groove in the cover.

Upon the cover A is mounted a boss A having an opening through it as at A for the clapper arm and upon this boss is mounted the bell B. A suitable washer B and rubberneck B both of well known description, are provided to form with clapper arm B a watertight joint to prevent the leakage of water from without into the chamber within the casing A. The bell B s bolted to the boss by bolts 6 and the easmg itself is bolted by bolts 1) to the deck at of the vessel, or it may be supported in any other way as seems best.

The clapper is mounted on the end of the clapper arm B which is hung on a pin 5 which serves as its fulcrum and which is supported in suitable journals formed in hangers b bolted to the under side of the cover A.

b is a clamp by means of which the rubberneck is held about the clapper to form an alrtightjoint therewith.

The clapper arm B .is a lever having an arm C forming a continuation of the clapper arm B and a pair of arms D at right angles thereto, one on each side of the arm C and forming bell-cranks; The arms D are pivotally connected to a rod I) having an enlargement d at its upper end and bemg spread slightly at its lower end. Its lower end carries a nut d to form a guide within the block D which is secured to the bottom or flooring E of the frame upon which the mechanism is supported. On top of the block D is mounted a ring D carrying perforated webs, the perforations being arranged to receive the lower end of a spring D which screws into them. The enlargement (I at the upper end of the'rod is in like manner provided with webs and perforations into which the upper end' ofthe spring may be screwed so that the spring is. firmly held at each end and operates asan expansion spring.

(i is a plug of rubber or other elastic material which sets into a screw cap d and forms the bottom of the cavity in the block D. This cap or plug (1 is screwed into an openingin the floor E so as to be adjustable therein and hence adjust the stroke of the rod D The spring D is expanded by the movementof the straight arm C which forms a continuation of the clapper arm and which acts through the crank arms I). By throwing the arm C to the left (see Fig. :2) the arm D raises the rod D and elongates the spring I), and when the power acting on the arm C is released the contraction of the spring D throws the clapper arm B over and causes the clapper to strike the bell. The cushion (Z when struck by the bottom of the rod causes a slight rebound on the part of the clapper, its position having been adjusted so that it will normally so hold the rod D that the clap per will be out of contact with the bell.

The mechanism for moving the lower end or arm C of the clapper arm B so that it will elongate the spring D is as follows F is an electric motor. The current is supplied to this motor through the wires 7 which are connected to suitable binding screws 7, each binding screw being in contact with a spring-contact f connected with other binding screws f each carrying wires 7 running through the plug L to a source of current outside the casing. The motor F is a constantly-running motor and carries on its shaft a pinion F engaging a gear F on a shaft F suitably mounted in ball bearings carried by supports E mounted on the flooring E. On this shaft F is also mounted a pinion F which engages agear F on a shaft F supported in hangers A bolted to the cover A The shaft F has an enlargement or drum G forming one member of a clutch by means of which a cam H is operated. The cam H is mounted with ball bearings on the shaft F 6 and is free to turn thereon. The drum G has wound tightly upon it a spring 9 one end 9 of which sets into an opening or socket h in the inner periphery of ,the cam, while the other end 9 projects at right angles through the head or end wall of the cam as at 72 (see Fig. 4-). J is a yoke-piece pivotally mounted as at 9' on a support J mounted on the flooring E and having a toe j by which its movement in one direction is limited, that movement being caused by a spring 3' which lies between the yoke-piece J and an upright J forming part of the support J. This yoke-piece J as shown forms an armature for an electro-magnet K which is supported from an upright K also mounted on the flooring E. Current is brought to this electro-magnet from some suitable source outside the casing A by the wires 7a through the plug L When current is applied to the electro-magnet the yoke-piece J will be attracted, and when the circuit is broken the yoke-piece will be released and by virtue of the spring j the yokepiece will be thrown to the right '(see Fig. 2) until the toe j comes in contact with the part J below it.

drum will be released and the drum will rotate without carrying the spring and cam with it. The spring, however, normally is wound sufficiently tightly on the drum G to grip it so that the drum will carry the cam H with it as it rotates because of the connection between the other end of the spring 9 and the cam. In Fig. 2 it will be noted that the upper end .of one of the escapement arms J has a finger or overhang j which is there shown as engaging the end 9 of the spring. It will be seen therefore that while the drum G is constantly being moved by means of the motor F in the direction of the arrow, the spring being held in a loose position with relation to the drum, the drum rot-ates without any action upon the cam. The breaking of the circuit through the electro-magnet K, however will release the end of the spring 9 that is, will allow the yokepiece to move to the right (see Fig. 2) so that the spring being released will grip the drum G and carry the cam around with it. But in the meantime, the other arm j of the escapement has been moved into the path of the end g of the spring so that when the drum G has turned about 180 the end g of the spring will engage the end j of the yokepiece J and rest on it and the spring will again be spread so as to release the drum from the cam and this condition will remain until the yoke-piece is again attracted by the electro-magnet. The cam is in the form of a hollow cylinder having bearings which rest upon the shaft F carrying the drum G and in which the shaft F is free to turn. For approximately 180 it has a plain cylindrical surface of considerable width, the cam surface proper 72- starting at a point substantially 180 from the opening 72, through which the end 9 of the spring passes. From that point it rises gradually to a point alongside of the opening k where it reaches its extreme height and from which it drops abruptly. In connection with this cam surface there is a cam roll H mounted on the end of the extension C of the clapper arm B and the purpose of this roll is to gradually ride up the cam surface, pushing the clapper to the right (see Fig. 2) and gradually elongating the spring D. In order to prevent undue wear to the cam roll which might result from the constant dropping over the end of the cam surface, it is best to provide the arm C with feet H one on each side of the roll H these feet being both alike and at their extremity projecting somewhat beyond the periphery of the cam roll H These feet H are separated by the roll H and are suflicientlyfar apart to straddle the cam surface 72. On each side of the cam surface 72. are auxiliary surfaces 71, which, during all but a few degrees of the circumference of the cam, are cylindrical, but from a point approaching the highest extremity of the cam surface h develop auxiliary cam surfaces h of a height corresponding to the height of the cam surface 71. itself, and these surfaces are so located that as the cam rotates while the clapper is gradually thrown to the right (see Fig. 2) by the engagement of the cam roll H with the cam surface 11, just b efore the cam roll is to fall off from the cam surface It, that is, just before the cam surface It resumes its cylindrical form, the arms H begin to bear upon their cam surfaces 71. and take the brunt notonly of the final lifting or moving of the clapper, but also take the entire force of the throw of the clapper caused by the spring D when it resumes its normal position. Thus the roll acts rather more as a friction roll than as a cam rol for although bearing upon the cam surface it gradually moves the clapper against the force of the spring D into striking position. The brunt of the impact of the arm C on the cylindrical portion of the cam, when the cam surface has been moved by it, is taken by the arms H and not by the roll H This may not be essential in all cases, but it is very desirable as the arms may be made of any desired strength and consequently will save considerable wear of the roll and its bearings. 1

The floor E is preferably supported by suitable hangers E from the under side of the cover A. This enables the apparatus to be put together and hung from the cover A and the whole to be put in place when the cover is set into place. The contact springs f simplify the settingof the mechanism into the case. Similar contact springs may be utilized to connect the device with the source of current for the electro-magnet K.

The casing is provided with two openings: one into which the pipe L leads and which may be connected with a su table air compressor for the purpose of maintaining a heavierv pressure in the casing than that of the water outside of the casing so as to maintain the parts Watertight in case there is any tendency to leak where the cover is attached to the casing, and the other carrying a ting of rubber or the like wlth opemngs Z through it through which to lead the electrical conductors. By making this packing of soft rubber and providing it with a metal washer Z on each side, the whole being of 'sufiicient' length to extend beyond the plug plug L (seeFig. 5) having a pack 'electro-magnet K, there being in the circuit a suitable key by which the circuit may be made and broken at appropriate times. Suppose the parts to be in the position shown in Fig. 2 which is an intermediate position, the circuit through the electromagnet is broken, thereby releasing the toepiece j from contact with the end 9 of the spring 9. The spring grabs the drum G so that it is rotated by the drum, its rotation carrying with it the cam H until the spring end 9 engages the end j of the escapement arm. This is the normal position of the parts when they are at rest. To cause the clapper to strike the bell, the circuit through the electro-magnet is again closed thus attracting the yoke-piece J and withdrawing the arm j from under the spring end 9 so that the spring grabs the drum G, and the cam is carried about 180 to the position shown in Fig. 2 when the finger j catches the end 9 of the spring and releases the drum. The circuit isagain broken and the spring released so that the cam again rotates about 180 and until the spring end 9 again rests upon thearm j". The circuit through K is again closed and opened at the key to cause the next operation of the clapper. The first action of'the cam surface is to throw the extension of the clapper arm to the left and the clapper to the right (see Fig. 2) the roll H riding up onathe cam surface until the feet H engage their portion of the cam surface and then the parts are held by the contact 9, g and j until the circuit through K is closed. On the closing of the circuit at the key the escapement is attracted by the electromagnet so that the arm 3' is pulled from under the end g of the spring and the clutch spring grabs the drum G and the cam is carried around until the projection 9' engages the spring end 9 During this movement of the cam the feet H and the roll H fall of from the cam surface onto the cylindrical portion of the cam, thus releasing the spring D which having been elongated on its release pulls the clapper over to the left (see Fig. 2) causing it to strike the bell and the elastic cushion d causing a slight reaction of the rod D so that the clapper does not remain in contact with the bell. Upon the breaking of the circuit again the spring end is released by the projection 3' and the spring again grabs the drum G and the cam turns until the spring end again rides on the end j of the yoke arm, thus completing the cycle of movement until the circuit is again closed. The closing of the circuit thus releases the cam for about half a revolution, stops it and upon the opening of the circuit again it again is released for about half a revolution until the spring end y brings up upon the yoke arm j where it is held until such time as it is desired to cause another blow to be struck upon the bell when the circuit is closed again. In this way the clapper operating mechanism is so controlled that only one stroke of the bell can be given for each closing of the circuit and hence the signals are under absolute control. Such a control is especially useful and necessary when the signals are to be originated in a submarine boat and are to be used as a means of conveying messages from one boat to a station on shore or on another boat.

The circuit breaker may be any usual form of telegraph key located with the source of electricity for the electromagnet in any part of the submarine or other vessel and the bell may be sounded at will and according to any desired code.

It is not meant to limit the invention in its details to the specific construction shown for there may be other forms of clutch and other cam motions equally useful to those shown, the essential feature of the invention being a constantly-running motor, preferably electricaland means for causing it to be operable at will upon the clapper or other signaling means. Noris it meant to limit the invention to the form of power accumulator shown as other forms may be used and under certain circumstances where the clapper is lifted by the cam or its equivalent its weight would answer on falling to strike blows of equal force.

In using the term operable by hand I do not mean that the device by which the throwing in of the clutch is caused shall necessarily be hand-operated, but that it shall be of a character either electrical or otherwise which requires a definite act either manual or otherwise, by which one member of the clutch is caused to engage the other member, the final disengagement of the clutch members being automatic so that when put into engagement its period of operation is necessarily limited by the action of the automatic throw-off. Thus the period during which the clapper is operated will necessarily be limited because of the automatic disengagement to which I have referred and my construction as described above prevents any new engagement of the clutch until after the automatic disengagement has taken place.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In a device of the kind described, a

sounder, a clapper, a continuously-operating motor, and means for connecting said motor and said clapper comprising a clutch and electrical means operable at will adapted to effect the engagement ofsaid clutch and cause its disengagement after a predetermined movement thereof whereby said sounder will be caused to give a predetermined signal, said electrical means comprising an electro-magnet controllable from a distance and means operable by said electro-magnet and located between said electromagnet and said clutch adapted to engage said clutch both at the moment when said electro-magnet is energized and also when it is released.

2. In a device of the character specified, a sounder, a constantly-running motor, a clutch connected to said motor, a cam connected to said clutch and connectible there- 85 by to said motor and means whereby said clutch may be operated at will to cause the said cam to take a plurality of steps in making a complete revolution and will then be disconnected from said motor, and means located between said cam and said sounder whereby the complete revolution of said cam will cause a single operation of said sounder.

3. In a device of the character specified, a sounder, a constantly-running motor, a clutch connected to said motor, a cam connected to said clutch and connectible thereby to said motor and means whereby said clutch may be operated to cause the said cam to take a plurality of steps in making a complete revolution, said means comprising an escapement lever adapted to engage said clutch and means for operating it, and means located between said cam and said sounder whereby the complete rotation of said cam will cause a single operation of said sounder.

4. A device of'the kind described com prising a sounder, a clapper and a power accumulator to operate said clapperand means for storing power in said power accumulator comprising a constantly-running electric motor and means adapted to connect said motor with said power accumulator at will comprising a clutch, a cam, means for operating said clutch electrically to connect said cam and said motor, whereby said cam will be given a limited movement, and means connected to said power accumulator'adapted to engagesaid cam whereby said cam will cause said power accumulator to accumulate power and to release said power when accumulated and operate said clapper.

5. A device of the kind described comprising a sounder, a clapper and a power accumulator to operate said clapper and means for storing power in said power accumulator comprising a constantly-running electric motor and means adapted to "9 aisaee connect said motor with said power accumulator at will comprising a cam, a clutch adapted to connect said cam and said motor, an cscapement adapted to engage said clutch, an electro-magnet and means tor energizing it at will, said escapement being located and adapted to be operated by the electromagnet,

clutch and an electro-magfcet adapted when energized to attract said escapement lever, and. means located between said cam and said -sounder whereby the complete rotation of said cam will cause a single operation of said sounder;

2'. A. device of the kind described comprisingin combination a sounder and a clapper, a constantly-rotating motor, a clutch adapted to be connected thereto, a cam connected to said clutch to be operated by said motor, means whereby said clapper may be operated b said cam, and means for operating said cliitch intermittently to connect said cam and said motor comprising an electro-magnet, an armature mounted to be attracted thereby and carrying an escapement yoke one arm of which is adapted to engage one element of said clutch when said electro-magnet is electrically excited and the other arm of which is adapted to engage said element when said electro-magnet is dead and means for electrically exciting said electro-magnet at will.

8. In a device of the character specified,

a sounder, a constantly-running motor, a

clutch connected to said motor, a cam connected to said clutch and connectible thereb to said motor and means whereby said c utch may be operated to cause the said cam to take a plurality of steps in making a complete revolution, said c 'ing a pro3ecting arm whereby it may be connected to and disconnected from said motor, in combination wlth an escapement I utch havment lever comprising an electro-magnet and means locatedbetween' said cam and said sounder whereby a complete rotation of said cam will cause a single operation of said sounder.

9. A device of the kind described comprising a sounder and a clapper, a cam and means for operating said cam, said cam having a gradually swelling surface and an abruptly swelling surface, said swelling surfaces terminating abruptly on a line parallel with the axis of the cam roller, and said clapper having a forked arm and a roller located between said forks, said roller being located to run on the gradually swelling cam surface and said forks to engage said abruptly swelling cam surface, in combination with means for throwing said clapper upon the release of said arm by said cam, the forks on said arm projecting slightly in advance of said rollerwhereby said forks will lift said roller 0d the cam surface upon reaching the abruptly swelling surface of the cam and in falling 0d from the swell will taketheimpact of the blow against the normal surface of the cam. I

10. In a device ofthe kind described, a sounder, a clapper and means to operate said clapper comprising a constantly-moving motor and a clutch adapted to connect said motor and said clapper and cause a single operation of said clapper and means operatingthereafter to engage said clutch and cause it to disengage said motor and clapper,

11. In a device of thekind described, a. sounder, a clapper and means to operate said clapperto cause it to give a single blow to said sounder comprising a constantly-- running motor, and a. clutch operable by hand to connect said clapper and said motor and means adapted to engage said clutch at a predetermined point in its revolution and separate its members, whereby the period of said connection shall be automatically de termined. EDWARD C. WOOD.

Witnesses:

dorm H. SMITH,

Rornn'r Fumes BLAKE. 

